About the Book
The small business is an often underestimated asset of both the modern economy and the commercial workforce. Those employed by small businesses make up a large percentage of both the U.S. and Canadian populations, and with the internet and other technologies connecting us like never before, the opportunity is present for even the smallest company to reach a global scale. Strategic Utilization of Information Systems in Small Business explores the possibilities not just in expanding a business, but in assisting a business in meeting its full potential, no matter its size. Including a variety of perspectives on what it means to be a small business and how to bring that business to maturity, this book is an essential reference source for small business owners, managers, and employees, as well as students, researchers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. This publication features chapters on the different aspects of management processes, e-commerce, and e-businesses, including the characteristics of a smart entrepreneur, success vs. failure, longevity, technology adoption, the types of different information systems and how to implement them, data and decision making, theories for investigating small businesses, business strategy, and competitive advantage.
About the Author :
M. Gordon Hunter is a Professor of Information Systems in the Faculty of Management at The University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. He has also been appointed Visiting Professor, Faculty of Business, Computing and Information Management, London South Bank University. Gordon has previously held academic positions at universities in Canada, Hong Kong, and Singapore. He has held visiting positions at universities in Australia, England, Germany, Monaco, New Zealand, Poland, Turkey, and USA. In 2012 Gordon received the Lloyd Houlden Research Fellowship from the Canadian Insolvency Foundation. From April to July of 2009 Gordon was a Fellow at the University of Applied Sciences, Munich, Germany. During July and August of 2005 Gordon was an Erskine Fellow at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. He has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; and a Ph.D. from Strathclyde Business School, University of Strathclyde in Glasgow, Scotland. Gordon has also obtained a Certified Management Accountant (CMA) designation from the Society of Management Accountants of Canada and was appointed a Fellow of the Society in 2010. In 2011 Gordon was appointed CMA Distinguished Scholar by CMA Alberta. He is a Chartered Information Technology Professional (CITP) and a Chartered Member of the British Computer Society. Gordon is also a member of the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS), where he has obtained designations including Information Systems Professional (ISP), Canadian Information Technology Professional (CITP), and International Information Technology Professional (IITP). At the University of Lethbridge Gordon is the Director of the Small Business Institute which investigates small business issues; and is the Committee Chair of the Burns Endowment Fund which supports visiting academics and business professionals. He has extensive experience as a systems analyst and manager in industry and government organizations in Canada. He is a member of the Advisory Board for the Journal of Information , Information Technology , and Organizations . Gordon is an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Qualitative Information Systems Research , the Journal of Global Information Technology Management , the International Journal of Transcultural Technology Transfer , and the International Journal on Innovation in the Digital Economy , and the International Journal of Sociotechnology and Knowledge Development . He serves on the Editorial Review Board of several journals. Gordon has published articles in MIS Quarterly ; Information Systems Research ; The Journal of Strategic Information Systems ; Information Systems Journal ; Information , Technology and People ; The Journal of Global Information Management ; Canadian Journal of Administrative Sciences ;International Journal of Strategic Information Technology and Applications ; TheInternational Journal of Sociotechnology and Knowledge Development ; The Journal of Information , Information Technology , and Organizations ; and Journal of Applied Management and Entrepreneurship . He has conducted over 100 seminar presentations in Australia, Canada, England, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore, Taiwan, Turkey, and USA. Gordon’s research approach takes a qualitative perspective employing Personal Construct Theory and Narrative Inquiry to conduct in-depth interviews. He applies qualitative techniques in interdisciplinary research such as small business, agricultural management, and cross-cultural investigations. His current research interests in the information systems (IS) area include the effective management of IS with emphasis on the personnel component; the role of Chief Information Officers; and the use of IS by small business.
